Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Greenland’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenland gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then ice storms (14%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2004.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Greenland faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Ice storms
Wildfire
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Greenland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greenland, and Greenland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greenland’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $652K a year in losses across Greenland: $273K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greenland flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greenland, from FEMA’s records: 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $24K
Greenland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greenland
Disasters that paid out in Greenland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Greenland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$13K to the City of Greenland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$28K to the City of Greenland for repairs
- 2004Sever Storms, Flooding and Landslides$9K to the City of Greenland for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$2K to the City of Greenland for repairs
Washington County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Greenland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greenland archive →Greenland and its neighbors
Greenland is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 166 |
| Greenland | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Greenland faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Greenland
Is Greenland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenland has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and ice storms (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Greenland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Greenland since 2004, $137K in all, or 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Greenland in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Washington County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greenland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greenland’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Greenland?
By FEMA money that reached Greenland, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $28K to the City of Greenland for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $24K.
Is Greenland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Greenland’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greenland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greenland’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.